Local News

Brush Chamber hosts annual banquet

Mayor gives State of the City address

Former Brush Mayor Chuck Schonberger accepts the 2017 Brush Spur of the Year award at the Brush Chamber of Commerce annual banquet on Wednesday. (Vicki Severson / Fort Morgan Times)

Brush Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet at the Carroll building in Brush on Tuesday evening. Brush Mayor Rick Bain addressed attendees with a State of the City address. The address included such things as the facade project, a new look for the fire house with expanded bays, a call for volunteers at the Sands Theatre and compliments on the community's eagerness to band together.

The mayor announced that during budget talks, the council has decided to double their usual $5,000 donation towards the Brush facade project, taking it up to $10,000.

"Over the years council has supported the chamber's facade program with a $5,000 donation. I'm happy to report that during our budget talks, we have decided to double that budget to $10,000 this year, to help provide assistance to our businesses," said Mayor Bain.

Hairstylists from Brush Hair, winner of the 2017 Business of the Year Award. (Vicki Severson / Fort Morgan Times)

The mayor also commended the community as he wrapped up the address.

"Over the last four years, I've met a lot of people in our community. Many of them who I slightly knew, I know much better now. I've realized that we may be a community that doesn't have a lot of financial resources, but in human resources, we are really a rich community. It's for that reason that I am truly honored and humbled to serve as your mayor," said Bain.

Following the mayor's address was the introduction of Tim Stroh, the new director of the State Historical Fund at History Colorado, who spoke on grants given to Brush and historic project tax cut concerns.

"Our funding comes from limited stakes gambling. Since 1990, we've given out 4,400 grants, totalling about $290 million. This is the money that's generated from Blackhawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. Looking at stats going back to about 1993 for Brush, the community has received over $500,000 in state historical fund grants over the years. If you think about the fact that our grants are actually matching grants, that's well over a million dollars of work that's been done in your community through the city's historical grants," said Stroh.

Stroh also confirmed that the 20-25 percent state historic tax credit, administered by History Colorado which can be used on historic projects, will not be impacted by federal tax cuts.

"Our tax credits are there and they are a great program if you're interested in working on your historic buildings," said Stroh.

Next was the introduction of Community Economic Development Specialist at DOLA (Department of Local Affairs), Johanna Jamison. Jamison works within the Main Street Program, which, Jamison said is all about community driven downtown revitalization.

"We work with 18 communities all across the state of Colorado. Brush is our highest level in our program, at the graduate level. You guys perform consistently well. We send a lot of communities who are wondering about Main Street or are looking to see a really good example of a Main Street to you. I am really impressed with how this community comes together. We have a lot of communities who have a hard time establishing these types of partnerships," said Jamison.

According to Jamison, volunteering numbers and the amount of time that volunteers spend contributing to Main Street in Brush are some of the highest among all of the communities.

Next was the presentation of community awards. Brush Area 2017 Business of the Year was awarded to Brush Hair Company. Brush Area 2017 Spur of the Year was awarded to Chuck Schonberger. Brush Area Volunteer of the Year was awarded to the Leake Family.

After awards were handed out, recognition of outgoing board members commenced. The outgoing board members were Dana Sherman, who termed out and Georgia Tournai, who is replaced by Suzanne Spears.

Outgoing 2017 Chamber President Allison Groves spoke about her time in the position, with great emotion.

"I hope when people think of me, they think of me as a girl who really cared about her town and volunteered her time for the chamber, to make this town better," said Groves.

Groves then swore in the new Brush Chamber President Wes Cable. Cable's first duty as Brush Chamber President was to swear in the new chamber officers, directors, alternate and committee chairs for 2018. The newly sworn in officers were Brush Chamber Vice President Dan Scalise, Secretary Kristen Mettlen and Treasurer Joanne Gosselink.

The event was catered by Peter Sisneros and the EMCH (East Morgan County Hospital) culinary department. Colorful dinner salads, succulent chicken dinners and rich chocolate cake was served by various local 4-H clubs, after a blessing was given by Reverend Jennifer Sampsel of Brush Nazarene Church.

The Leake family - winners of the Brush 2017 Volunteer of the Year award. (Vicki Severson / Fort Morgan Times)

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